Santa Claus is getting plans ready for Christmas time but are Dundee going to get any gifts during December?

St Nick’s belly will be shaking like a bowl full of jelly as his elves work their little backsides off to get ready for the big day.

Before then, however, the Dark Blues have five fixtures with two more following before the winter shutdown — plenty of time to get themselves on to the ‘nice’ list and well away from the ‘naughty’ one.

Dundee manager Neil McCann

So how can they do that? Today the Tele looks at their advent fixtures:

Saturday, December 2

Ross County v Dundee

First up is a trip to the Highlands — somewhere that’s not been a happy hunting ground for the Dark Blues.

One win in five trips to Dingwall isn’t a good run and the Staggies have looked a tough prospect under new boss Owen Coyle.

Verdict: One point.

Friday, December 8

Dundee v Aberdeen

The Dons coming to Dens on a Friday night should send a shiver down the spine of Dundee fans after last time.

A 7-0 hammering was topped by a hat-trick for defender Andy Considine on a night the home side were well and truly played off the park. You can’t see that happening again but they’ll likely struggle.

Verdict: No points.

Tuesday, December 12

Hearts v Dundee

Quickly on the back of the Aberdeen game is another tough one, away to the Jambos. This season has gone pretty pear-shaped for the Edinburgh side and January can’t come quickly enough.

Craig Levein’s ideas will have had more time to settle into the squad by the time Dundee line up in front of the new stand at Tynecastle.

It’s clear, though, from the season so far the Hearts squad isn’t the strongest and Neil McCann will fancy his men up against them. Getting points from Tynecastle in any season, though, is tough.

Verdict: One point.

Saturday, December 16

Dundee v Partick

It might be more than a fortnight away but what a big match for both sides.

Home advantage should give Dundee the edge but it’s in these games where they’ve let themselves down in recent seasons.

However, they should have got something down at Firhill a few weeks back and will be out to avenge that.

Verdict: Three points.

Saturday, December 23

Motherwell v Dundee

Fir Park has been an enjoyable trip for the Dark Blues lately — they’re unbeaten in their last four there, including a 3-2 win last time out and a magnificent 5-1 thumping back in February.

The Steelmen, however, are a different animal this season under Stephen Robinson. Sitting in a well-deserved fifth spot, ’Well will be favourites for this one.

Verdict: One point.

Tuesday, December 26

Dundee v Celtic

The champions come to Dens for their Boxing Day lunch. Dundee have fared reasonably well against the Hoops but there’s only one winner here.

Verdict: No points.

Saturday, December 30

St Johnstone v Dundee

McDiarmid Park is the venue for another New Year Tayside Derby. The Dark Blues’ recent record against Saints has been not too bad — they ran out 3-0 winners at Dens in this fixture last campaign and beat Tommy Wright’s men in September.

A tough one to call, however.

Verdict: One point.

Overall: Seven points.

Historically, picking up a point a game will see you stay up so despite not seeming like much, seven points wouldn’t be a bad return from a difficult run of games.

Whether it’s enough to keep the players off the ‘naughty’ list will be left up to Santa.